- Joined
- Jun 12, 2006
- Messages
- 5,364
Not really a "real review," just some random thoughts paired with a few pix. 
So I picked this Large double lug up from CRK about a year or so ago, and I have to say without a DOUBT this is "the ONE" for me. That thread that pops up in general every week or so... "what ONE, would you keep to use if you had to pick."
Well this large Micarta 21 is mine, first I love the classic look of it, I love the action and the bankvault lockup. Another thing that I love is that Chris does not trash up the knife with any print, I know its made in USA, I know its S30V, I do NOT need to see that everytime I use the knife. So the pure no "non-sense look" really does it for me.
The Micarta inlays add just the right amount of width, and just the right amount of grip. They also grip just as well when the knife is totally wet. Random use, I had to pry off my kid's swimming pool stopper to change their pool water, I was carrying this Micarta 21, flipped her open and plunged the 21 under the water and lifted the cap with the tip. I was totally in control of the knife the whole time, no worrying about slipping with these inlays! The inlays also help the keep battle scars off the main part of the scales.
Let us not forget the high hollow grind! Man this IS the best of both worlds! IMHO
It can slice with the best of them and stays thin at the edge as you sharpen the blade away over years and years of use. All while still being very strong for light prying tasks, the way Chris tapers the grind at the tip it leaves a lot of meat at the point, but its also a good stabber. I feel this high hollow beats all other grinds hands down, yes even the full flat grind!
Why? well because as you cut with a flat grind there is friction along the whole blades' width. With a high hollow grind you create a pocket of air as soon as what ever your cutting goes over the shoulders of the hollow grind. Go cut some cheese with a full flat grind, then go cut the same cheese with a high hollow grind. You will see that the hollow grind creates a pocket of air and does not drag along the whole blade, the full flat does. IMHO, the high hollow is "da' BOMB!" 
I love that this knife fits in from Church to panting our bedroom to building a playset. It just looks at home, because of the slick classic look.
Another feature that I really like is the thicker tip, I can do light to medium prying with this knife and not have to worry about breaking the tip. I know right tool for the right job.... yeah yeah yeah... I feel this knife can handle it, and it has not let me down. No Sebenza has :thumbup:
I also really like how quick I can clean the action, loosen the stop screw a tad, take out the pivot screw, clean her up. Regrease, and slide the blade and spacer and washers back in and tighten the pivot, then snug the blade stop screw again, DONE. I can clean this knife in two mins, not joking! Show me any other knife that you can do that with?
Really it's just the best of everything, from use to looks, from carry, to actual real world use.
Here are some pix from today when I had to break down a BIG double wall cardboard box containing our new crib! Baby Lillian is due in a few weeks and momma So-Lo is nesting I am more than happy to help, so long as I get to use knives, up next is probably going to be painting our bedroom :thumbup:
PS. Some people talk smack about Chris's heat treat, I still have a heck of a sharp knife even after all that double wall cardboard. A few mins on the strop will bring it right back up to snuff... not that it needs it yet, just saying "I'm very happy with CRK heat treat." :thumbup:
So I picked this Large double lug up from CRK about a year or so ago, and I have to say without a DOUBT this is "the ONE" for me. That thread that pops up in general every week or so... "what ONE, would you keep to use if you had to pick."
Well this large Micarta 21 is mine, first I love the classic look of it, I love the action and the bankvault lockup. Another thing that I love is that Chris does not trash up the knife with any print, I know its made in USA, I know its S30V, I do NOT need to see that everytime I use the knife. So the pure no "non-sense look" really does it for me.
The Micarta inlays add just the right amount of width, and just the right amount of grip. They also grip just as well when the knife is totally wet. Random use, I had to pry off my kid's swimming pool stopper to change their pool water, I was carrying this Micarta 21, flipped her open and plunged the 21 under the water and lifted the cap with the tip. I was totally in control of the knife the whole time, no worrying about slipping with these inlays! The inlays also help the keep battle scars off the main part of the scales.
Let us not forget the high hollow grind! Man this IS the best of both worlds! IMHO
It can slice with the best of them and stays thin at the edge as you sharpen the blade away over years and years of use. All while still being very strong for light prying tasks, the way Chris tapers the grind at the tip it leaves a lot of meat at the point, but its also a good stabber. I feel this high hollow beats all other grinds hands down, yes even the full flat grind!
Why? well because as you cut with a flat grind there is friction along the whole blades' width. With a high hollow grind you create a pocket of air as soon as what ever your cutting goes over the shoulders of the hollow grind. Go cut some cheese with a full flat grind, then go cut the same cheese with a high hollow grind. You will see that the hollow grind creates a pocket of air and does not drag along the whole blade, the full flat does. IMHO, the high hollow is "da' BOMB!" I love that this knife fits in from Church to panting our bedroom to building a playset. It just looks at home, because of the slick classic look.
Another feature that I really like is the thicker tip, I can do light to medium prying with this knife and not have to worry about breaking the tip. I know right tool for the right job.... yeah yeah yeah... I feel this knife can handle it, and it has not let me down. No Sebenza has :thumbup:
I also really like how quick I can clean the action, loosen the stop screw a tad, take out the pivot screw, clean her up. Regrease, and slide the blade and spacer and washers back in and tighten the pivot, then snug the blade stop screw again, DONE. I can clean this knife in two mins, not joking! Show me any other knife that you can do that with?
Really it's just the best of everything, from use to looks, from carry, to actual real world use.
Here are some pix from today when I had to break down a BIG double wall cardboard box containing our new crib! Baby Lillian is due in a few weeks and momma So-Lo is nesting
I am more than happy to help, so long as I get to use knives, up next is probably going to be painting our bedroom :thumbup:PS. Some people talk smack about Chris's heat treat, I still have a heck of a sharp knife even after all that double wall cardboard. A few mins on the strop will bring it right back up to snuff... not that it needs it yet, just saying "I'm very happy with CRK heat treat." :thumbup:
